Indicator or measuring means for knitting or other machines and method



July 9, 1940. R. H. LAWSON BANS FOR KNITTING OR OTHER MACHINES METHOD INDICATOR 0R MEASURING M 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ofiginal Filed Oct. 26, 1952 z ZNVENTDR; A R oBERTHLgmmm ATIy.

July '9, 1940. 4 R. H. LAWSON I 2,207,464

INDICATOR OR MEASURING MEANS FOR KNITTING OR OTHER MACHINES AND METHOD Original Filed Oct. 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENI'ORQ ROBERTHLAWJO)! ATTZ July 9, 1940. R. H. LAWSON 2,207,464

INDICATOR 0R MEASURING MEANS FOR KNITTING OR OTHER MACHINES AND METHOD Original Filed Oct. 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 [NVENTOR EOBERTHLAWSWV,

ATTy.

July 9, 1 940. H. LAWSON 2,207,464

INDICATOR OR MEASURING MEANS" FOR KNITTING OR OTHER MACHINES AND METHOD original Filed Oct. 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F109. F1a.10.

JNVENTMB: RQBERTHJAWSmg ATTy.

Patented July 9, 1940 moron 0R on KNITTING on METHOD MEASURING MEANS son OTHER- MACHINES AND Robert H. Lawson, Pawtucket, R. I., assignor to Hemphill Comps Central Falls, R. I., a corporation of Massachusetts Application (lctober 26, 1932, Serial No.

Renewed June 21, 1938 I 32 Claims. (01. 66125) This invention relates to a method of and mechanism for maintaining the speed of moving elements such as yarns constant, i. e., with respect to each other; More specifically the invention relates to the feeding of a plurality of strands to a machine such as a knitting machine, the means hereinafter to be more fully described, being adapted to serve as a detectorand indicate to the observer when one yarn is being fed to the knitting machine at a more rapid rate than another yarn.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation showing the detector applied to a knitting machine;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation and partly in section of one of the detectors and knitting machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in plan showing a plurality of detectors in operative relation with one another;

Fig. 4 is a view in section of the detector mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views of cooperating rotary elements of the detector;

Figs. 7 and, 8 are detail views;

Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively side and front views in elevation and partly in section showing a modified form of detector;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are views illustrating how.

the detector mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and 10 operates: and

Fig. 14 is a view showing-a modified form of movable detector elements such as discs.

' When the detector mechanism is used in conjunction with a multi-feed knitting machine, a

portion of which is shown in Fig. 1 being indicated by the numeral I, a plurality of brackets .2 and 3 are mounted upon the upper surface of a supporting plate 4. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the brackets 2 and 3 alternate, the brackets 2 being companion to the alternate feeds and the brackets 3 being companion to the intermediate feeds The brackets 2 and 3 structed all being attached to means of screws '5 which screws 5 pass through angle brackets 6 and 1 thus securing them together. Each angle bracket 6 is connected to another bracket 8 as by means of screws 8'. The brackets 8 are U-shaped," and through the arms thereof extend eyelets 9 through which pass threads or yams I 0. each provided with U-shaped arms ll .through the opposed portions of which arms pass bearing screws l2. Each screw I2 is provided with a conical bearing l3 in one end thereof and within are similarly conmizing the bearing friction.

the plate 4 as by The brackets"! are opposed conical recesses l3 of companion screws I 2 are seated pintles it having rounded ends for seating in the conical bearings l3, thereby mini- The screws I 2 pass through threaded holes in the arms ll being retained in adjusted position as by means of nuts it. Mounted upon each pintle I4 is a disc such as 16 or I! such discs being provided with peripheral grooves in which threads ID are received as indicated in several figures of the drawings. Attached to and projecting laterally from each bracket 8 is a threaded shaft II! which passes through a spacing collar .i 9 both the shaft and collar being riveted to the bracket ,8. Adjacent to each collar I9 is a tension disc 20 and opposed thereto is a companion tension disc 2!, a thread l0 being adapted to pass between them and be tensioned thereby, the tension of the discs being regulated as by means of a coil spring 22 which surrounds the shaft l8, threaded on the outer end of which are nuts 23 and 24, the last named nut 24 being for the purpose of adjustably tensioning the spring 22 and thereby the tension imposed upon the yarn by the discs 20 and 2|.

.such holes being spaced and positioned on the discs I I to correspond to the recesses 25 on the discs 16. As will be noted by inspection of Figs. 1 and 3, the discs it are circularly arranged with respect to the plate 4, and likewise the discs I! are circularly-arranged with respect to the plate 4, but beyond the discs l6 and overlapping the same. A thread or yarn H) which is led from a source of yarn supply down through the upper eyelet 9, between the tension discs '20, 2|, and

through the lower eyelet 9, passes part way around the periphery of each disc I Band I! being received in the peripheral grooves thereof,- all as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4,5 and 6. A

Merely for illustrating one possible use of the invention, the detector is shown as being applied to a multi-feed knitting machine I, three of said feeds respectively numbered 21, 28 and 29 being more or less incompletely shown in Fig. 1. Needles 30 of the so-called pivoted latch type are shown more or less diagrammatically in Fig. 1, which pass through feet It (provided by outsuch needles being shown as drawing yarns from turned ends of the bracket) and into the'plate a source of supply. It is essential that, in the l. The bracket 34. is more or less U-shaped in knitting of fabric with a plurality of feeding sectionbeing provided with a hub 31 -in one armstations, the several yarns (one to each station) thereof through which a bearing 38, similar in be uniformly knitted into the gfapnrrand bythat construction torthg bearing tipFlg. 3, passes. A

is meant that the same amount of each "yarn shaft- 39 may be provided with a rounded end should be knitted into the fabric in a given time. to seat in the bearing 38. At its other end the In multi-feed knitting machines it is essential shaft 39 is similarly shaped to seat in a bearing that the stitchcams such as. 3l. 32.,and 33 be- ,0,. sirnil ar to the bearing 3!, such bearing ll properly adjusted to cause theirfrneedle'sto' dra'wf. 5 being supported in a hub ll. Set screws 42 may a uniform length of stitch, such stitch cams being retain the hearings in position. Intermediate the commonly adjusted by manually turned wheels ends of thshaft 39 is fixedly mounted a. disc such as 35, 38 and 31. If a cam-;suh 'QS tlie: 43 provided with a grooved periphery in which cam 3| be so adjusted asto cause the needles isseated a thread or yarn M, such yarn leading to draw a longer stitch'than is being drawn by from a source of thread supply down through the needles controlled by a: n- .adjacentcam-Q2 an eyelet-ll around the periphery of the disc it is obvious that much more of the yarnwlll be '43 and in the groove thereof, and finally through drawn at the feeding station 21 than wil l b e another eyelet 45. The eyelets I4 and II are drawn by the needles knitting at the feeding each mounted upon a wire 46 which is connected station 28. .By causing ayam It! to pass part to the upper portion of the bracket 34 in any way around the periphery of disc l5 and causing suitable manner. A worm 41 is formed upon the another yarn in to pass part way around-the shaft 39 being in engagement with a'worm-wheel periphery of an adjacent disc l1, the two discs 48- which turns in the direction of the arrow are rotated on their axes which, as indicated when yarn is being drawn -from the source of in Figs. 7 and 8, are asnearlyfrictionless-as supply. 1 The worm-wheel 48 is mounted upon a possible thereby permitting thesaid discs I pintle 49 which is connected to and turns in and i1 freely to turnon their axes. In the illusbearings 50 and SI, said-bearings being mounted tration just given, the yarn being knitted at the in arms of a bracket 52 which is connected to feeding station 2'| is being drawn faster from a the upper portion of the bracket Il by' means source of supply than is the yarn being knitted of screws 53. The bearings forthe' pintle 4! at the feeding station 28, the result being that are constructed similarly to the bearings shown the disc l6 companion to the feeding station 21, in Figs. '7 and 8 and described in connection with is being rotated by its yarn at a greater speed the shaft 39. A pin Slwhich has a reduced end than is the companion disc 11. As a consequence 55 passes through a hole in one arm of the bracket of the greater speed of rotation oiithe disc It 52, the inner end of which pins rests against an as compared with the speed of rotation of the adjacent face of wheel 48. Surrounding the adjacent disc H, a hole 2! in the disc l'lshown .pintle is a collar 56 adiustablyretained, in as being in register with a black spot 25 on the position as by means, ofna set screw. .A spring disc IE, will not remain in that position but the 51 is coiled around the pintle 49 one end of such 40 greater speed of rotation of the disc ii will cause spring being seated against an adjacent face of the spots 25 toappear tomove in the direction the collar 58, the other end of the said spring of greater rotation of the disc I in which case being in frictional engagement with the adiathe operator on viewing the moving spots will cent face of the wheel v either adjust the stitch cam 3| to draw a shorter By referring to Figs. 11, 12 and '13, the opera-' 5 stitch or will adjust the stitch cam 32 to draw tion of the detector mechanism will be clear. a longer stitch. r v f The drawing of'the yarn II by the needle causes By the. use of the overlapping discs IS and I! the disc 43 to rotate in the direction of the in the 'manner just described, it is possible for arrow, Fig. 9, which causes rotation of the shaft an' operator to walk slowly around a knitting .39, the worm 41 causing rotation of the wheel machine having as mariyasil feeds and readily 48 in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 10-13.

1 determine whether all of th ic 'arc knitting In determining the relative feedln8 peeds of two stitches of the same length, which ,is especially yarns. pins." in adjacent detectormec desirable in so-called body machines having a are inserted in the holes in the brackets II, the

great number of feeding stations. springs 51 in the respective detector mechanisms The invention is applicable tohoslery' knitting being positioned in contact with the said pins ll machines of the split foot or other variety having as indicated in Fig. 11. The knitting or other aplurality'of feeds. Ordinarily if itbeattempted machine is then started and the two yarns II t kn i cular courses of a stocking on a multiare drawn by the needles or other instrumentalifeed knitting machine, the result is what is ties for a certain length of time at the end of- 00 t in the trade as afwash-board effect, the stockwhich time the machine is stopped and the relaing showing horizontal lines due was difference tive positions of the springs 51 are observed. Pigs. in tensions, to which the yarns are being sub-' 12 and 13 indicate the final position of two springs lected, th s difference in tens on at times being 51 companion to two. yarns II. The spring 51 due to the fact that one yarn bobbin is nea'rly in Fig. 12 having traveled througha greater are 66 empty and another one nearly full; By incorthan the spring 51 in Fig. 13, more yarn has been porating in such amachine, a detector of the drawn by the needles or other instrumentalities type hereinbefore described, it is possible so to at the feeding station companion to the disc I! adjust the stitch cams and/or tensions as to knit shown in Fig. 12 than has been drawn by the a fabric ha'vinga uniform'appearance. needles at the feedingstation companion to the 70 InFigs. 9-13inclusive there is disclosed amodidisc 48 shown in Fig. 13. In order to adjust the fled form of the invention consisting of a. bracket relative rates of feeds of the yarns, in the case 34 mounted .upon the plate l opposite each feedof a knitting machine such as that disclosed in ing station. The bracket ll as shown is at- Fig. 1, the stitch cam companion to the disc ll tached to the plate 4 as by means of screws 35 shown in Fig. 12 may be raised slightlyto draw if. The holes in the disc 58 replace the marklugs shown on the disc l6. Rotation of the discs 58 and 59 by the threads or yarns produces an optical effect, similar to that hereinbefore described, by means ofwhich it can readily be determined whether or not two adjacent discs 59,

are rotating at the same speed.

As hereinbefore described, the yarns or threads pass around the disc I 6, IT in such a manner as to cause the discs to rotate in the same direction, 1. e., in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 5 and 6; however, obviously one yarn may pass through the eyelets! and around the disc '6 in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 5'; whereas the other yarn, Fig. 6, may pass through the two eyelets 9 and around the disc in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow.

The construction and operation, hereinbefore described, provides a means whereby the relative speed of feeding of two 'or more yarns, e. g., in a knitting machine, can be readily. determined at any instant by the operator of the machine or mechanism. "In the embodiment herein disclosed, the relativerate of feeding of the two yarns can be instantly determined by merely looking at the rotating disks such as l6 and 11.

The term uniform fabric appears in certain of the claims and by-that terminology it is meant that the fabric is uniform to the extent that stitches of the same character are of substantially the same length.

Although the invention has been hereinbefore described in specific terms,v the invention is applicable to the comparison or measurement of moving bodies or currents other than strandlike elements; and, when appliedto strand-like elements obviously is not limited touse in connection with knitting machines. The invention, being especially useful with knitting-machines, has been disclosed in connection with such use for illustrative purposes.

I claim:

1. An indicator mechanismfor determining the relative rates at which yarns are fed to the needles of a machine, such movable elements adapted to be moved by the yarns as the said yarns are being drawn from the sources of supply, one of said elements being pro vided with at least one aperture and the other movable element being protided' with a marking visible through the aperture of the other meme her, the construction being such that when the yarns are being withdrawn from their sources of supply at the same rate, the marking is visible through the aperture but when one yarn is being drawn from the source of Qs upply at a faster rate than the other yarn the marking is displaced with respect to the aperture.

2. An indicator mechanism in combination with a multi-feed knitting machine, the detector consisting of rotatably mounted members, said members adapted tobe rotated by yarns being drawn from sources of supply by having one or more peripheral apertures therein andthe other member having corresponding markings on its periphery, the yarns when being fed at'the same rate to the needles of the knitting machine at two adjacent ing rates of.the

uniform fabric.

mechanism consisting of the needles 'of the' knitting machine, one of such rotary members feeds, the markings on one rotary member at such times being visible through the aperture or apertures of the other members and appearing to be stationary, and one yarn when it is being drawn from its source of supply at a faster rate than the other yarn, being adapted to cause an apparent relative displacement of the marking or markings with respect to the aperture or apertures.

3. A method of adjusting the feeding of two or more yarns to the needles of a knitting machine consisting in observing the relative rates of movement of yam-movable members which are separate from the yarns and adjusting a stitch cam until the relative rates of movement of the said members are substantially the same.

4. An indicator for use in a multi-feed knitting machine for indicating whether two yarns are moving from their respective sources of supply at the same or different rates, wherein yarn movable elements which are separate from the yarns and which impose substantially no tension on the yarns, assist in determining which of the two yarns is moving from its source of supply at a faster rate, in combination with means for ad'- J'usting the relative feeding'rates of the yarns to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

5. A knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinderand a plurality of feeding stations, in

tion with means foradjusting the relative feedyarns to eiiect the knitting of 6. A circular knitting machine of the independent needle type-including a rotary needle cyl- --inder and a plurality of feeding stations at each of which stations a yarn is knitted by the needles,

in combination with an indicator, elements of which are associated with the construction being such that when two yarns arebeing fed to the needles at substantially the same rate that fact is indicated, and that when said two yarns are being fed to the needles at diflerent' rates the feeding rates of the said two yarns can be readily altered to permit the-said two yarns to be knitted by the needles at substantially the same rate, thereby effecting the knitting of uniform fabric.

each feeding station,

7. A circular knitting machine of the independent needle type having a plurality of feeding stations at each of which is a stitch drawing cam adapted to control-the movements of the needles to knit a yarn, and in combination there with movable indicator mechanism adapted visually to indicate to the operator of the knitting machine when two of the said yarns are being knitted by the needles at different rates so that the stitch drawing cams can be readily adjusted to cause said yarns to be'uniformly knitted by the needles. r

.4 8. An independent. needle knitting machine having a plurality of feeding stations and yarn movable elements companion to .each feeding station forreadily' indicating the relative rates at which the yarns are being knitted at the several feeding statidns.

9. Aycircular knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder in which are mounted needles having independent-movement's, a plurality of feeding stations, movable yarn controlled elements' in cooperative association with the feeding stations,- themovements of the'yamconform fabric.

' the construction and operation yarn rotatable member,

trolled elements readily indicating to the operator of the machine the relative rates at which the yarns are being knitted.

10. Indicating mechanism 'for a multi-feed knitting machine providing visual indications to inform the operator of the machine when the same amounts of yarn are not being knitted at each of two feeding stations thereby permitting the operator to effect adjustments readily to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

11. A method of adjusting the. feeding of two or more yarns to the needles of a knitting machine consisting in observing the relative rates of movement of yarn-movable members and adjusting yarn tension until the relative rates of movement of the said members are substantially the same.

12. A multi-feed knitting machine and means associated with each feed, the said means being so constructed and operated as to visually indicats to the operator of the machine whether or not yarns fed to the needles at two or more of the feeding stations are being fed to the needles at substantially the same rate, in combination with means for adjusting the relative feeding rates of the yarns to effect the knitting of uni- 13. A multi-feed knitting machine and means associated with each feed, the said means being so constructed and operated that, by inspection of the said means, the operator of the machine can readily determine which one oftwo of the said yarns is being fed to the needles of the knitting machine at the faster rate, in combination with means for adjusting the relative feeding rates of .the yarns to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

'14. A multi-feed knitting machine, means for knitting a plurality of yarns each of several feeding stations, a plurality of rotary discs disposedin overlapping relation to one another, each yarn in passing from the source of supply to the needles engaging the periphery of one of the discs, the drawing of the several yarns from the source of supply incidental to the knitting of fabric causing the discs to rotate, the overlapping portions of the discs being so constructed as are being knitted into the fabric at the same rate.

15. A supportand a plurality of like yarn rotatable members mounted thereon, a tension member associated with each said yarn rotatable member, the said yarn rotatable members each having peripheral indications thereon adapted to register with peripheral indications on an adjacent and overlapping'yarn rotatable member, being such that the registering indications of adjacent yarn rotatabie members will indicate to the operator when the several yarns are being fed at the same rate. a

16. Asupport and a plurality of like yarn rotatable members mounted thereon. the said yarn rotatable members each having peripheral indications thereon adapted to registerwith peripheral indications on an adiacentand overlapping I the construction and operation being such that the.registering indications of adjacent yarn rotatable members will indicate to the operator when the several yarns are being fed at the same rate.

17. A multi-feed knitting machine and a plurality of yarns each being fed to the needles at a feeding station,

independently at to indicate to the operator of the machine whether or not the several yarns yarn controlled means operative-.

ly positioned between the source of supply and the needles for visually indicating to the operator of the machine when all the yarns are being knitted into the fabric at the same rate.

18. A multi-feed knitting machine having cam means at each feeding station for determining the length of stitch knitted at each said feeding station, means for adjusting the stitch length at each feeding station, in combination with means operatively positioned between the source of yarn supply and the needles for indicating to the operator of the machine when all or some of the yarns are not being knitted by the needles at the several feeding stations at the same rate.

19. A multi-feed knitting machine having cam means at each feeding station for determining the length of stitch knitted at each said feeding station, means for adjusting the stitch length at each feeding station, in combination with means arranged to be operatively positioned between the source of yarn supply and the needles for visually indicating to the operator of the ma- ,chine when all or some of the yarns are not being knitted by the needles at the severalfeeding stations at the same rate, in combination with means for adjusting the relative feeding rates of the yarns to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

20. A multi-feed knitting machine having cam means at each feeding station for determining the length of stitch knitted at each said feeding station,-means for adjusting the stitch length at each feeding station, in combination with means operatively positioned between the source of yarn supply and the needles for indicating to the operator of the machine when all or some of the yarns are not being knitted by the needles at the each feeding station,

several feeding stations at the same rate, the indicating means including members moved by the yarn so as to give the desired indications.

21. A multi-feed knitting machine having cam means'at each feeding station for determining the length-of stitch knitted at each said feeding station, means for adjusting the stitch length at in combination with means operatively positioned between the source of yarn supply and the needles for indicating to the operator of the machine when all or some of the yarns are not being knitted by the needles at the several feeding stations at the same rate, the indicating means including a yarn rotatable member the rotations of which measure the rate at which one of the said yarns is being knitted into the fabric.-

22. In a multi-feed knitting machine, means for indicating whether two yarns which are moving from their respective sources of supply are being knitted at the same or different rates. said means comprising two rotating mutually cooperating members, each yarn serving to rotate one of said members, in combination with means for adjusting the relative feeding rates of the yarns to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

23. A multi-feed knitting machine at each of I a plurality of feeding stations of which a separate ,members at two of the feeding stations being so disposed and constructed that the aforesaid rotations of the said members inform the operator whether or not two of the yarns are being knitted into the fabric at the same rate.

24. A multi-feed knitting machine at each of a plurality of feeding stations of which a yarn is knitted, means for association'with the yarns to determine whether or not the yarns are being knitted at the same rate, said means including a freely rotatable member, the rotations of which .are imparted by one of the yarns as they pass from the source of supply to the knitting instrumentalities, the construction and operation being such that the rotations of the member inform the operator of the machine whether or not the same lengths of yarn are being knitted at two feeding stations during the same interval of time, in combination with means for adjusting the relative feeding rates of the yarns to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

25. A multi-feed knitting machine at each of a plurality of feeding stationsof which a yarn is fed to the needles, means associated with each of a plurality of said feeding stations and including a movable element, the movements of which are imparted to the said element by one of the yarns, the construction and operation or the means being such that it visually indicates to the operator of the machine whether or not two of the yarns are being fed to the knitting machine at the same rate, in combination with means for adjusting the relative feeding rates of the yarns to effect the knitting of uniform fabric.

26. A multi-feed knitting machine having means for feeding a yarn to the needles at each of a plurality of feeding stations, indicating means at adjacentfeeding stations, said indicating means including movable members having overlapping and registering indications, the construction and operation being such that when the two yarns fed to the needles at adjacent feeding stations are being knitted by the needles, the indications inform the operator of the machine when the two yarns are not being fed to the ,needles at the same rate.

27. A multi-feed knitting machine having means for feeding a yarn to the needles at each of a plurality of feeding stations, indicating means at adjacent feeding-stations, said indicating means including rotatable members having overlapping and registering indications, the construction and operation being such that when the two yarns fed to the needles at adjacent feeding stations are being knitted by the needles, the

with each of a plurality of said feeding stations,

the rotations of which are imparted to the said member by one of the yarns, the rotations of the said member being such as to indicate visually, at

any instant, to the operator of the machine whether or not twoof the yarns are being fed to the needles at the same rate.

29. A multi-feed knitting machine at each of a plurality of feeding stations of which a yarn is fed to the needles, means associated with each of apluralityof saidfeeding stationsand including a rotatable element, the rotationsof which are imparted to the said element by one of the yarns, the construction and operation of the means being such that it visually indicates to the operator of the machine at any instant whether or not two of the yarns are being fed to the knitting machine at the same rate.

30. In combination with a knitting machine, a yarn controlled mechanism so constructed and arranged as to indicate at any instant whether the speed at which said yarn is moving bears the desired relation to the speed ofv another moving element. I

31. In combination with a machine having provision for the simultaneous feeding of at least two yarns, a yarn controlled mechanism so constructed and arranged as to indicate at any instant whether one of the said two yarns is moving at the same speed as the other yarn.-

32. In combination with a knitting machine having provision for the simultaneous feeding of so constructed and arranged as to indicate at any instant whether one of the said two yarns is moving at the same speedas the other yarn.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. 

